Holland’s Bloodworth will disappoint in-laws if United States lose World Cup

Defender Dominique Bloodworth knows she will end up making half of her family disappointed if Holland can get the better of the United States and win the Women’s World Cup for the first time on Sunday.

The 24-year-old, who signed for Wolfsburg after leaving Arsenal at the end of the FA Women’s Super League season, is married to Brandon, who served in the American military.

Her husband, whom she met in London while playing for the Gunners, has travelled out to France, while the defender’s in-laws are set to tune in to watch Sunday’s final from California.

She added: “My husband said: ‘Secretly, I’m going to cheer a little more for the Netherlands’.

“He is very proud and I am happy that he is there and that he supports me so (much).”

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While the US will be aiming to successfully defend their title and deliver a fourth World Cup triumph, Bloodworth believes the Leeuwinnen will be ready to rise to the challenge again, having battled past Sweden after extra-time.

“Of course the Americans are favourite, they will probably think they are going to win, but we are going to make it as difficult as possible for them,” she said.

Holland needed extra-time to get past Sweden with a 1-0 victory in their semi-final (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

“We will do everything we can to win from them now.”

The US progressed to the final after ending England’s hopes with a hard-earned 2-1 win on Tuesday night.

The outcome, though, could have been so different but for some tight Video Assistant Referee calls and a late penalty save from Alyssa Naeher to deny Lionesses’ captain Steph Houghton an equaliser.